The ups and downs

Chapter 1: Waiting...

I waited every day for him to get some time off... I waited every day for three years. I did not want to get to know others. I had convinced myself that he would be back tomorrow. That tomorrow never came for three years.

I had got a part time job as a waitress at a restaurant while i attended university. It was my get away from thinking of him.

While working there the restaurant was taken over by a new management. Then everything changed.

"Emergency meeting in the kitchen Reina," my co-worker Angelica said as she passed by me.
Slowly, i walked to the kitchen door while pocketing my hands in the apron. I was in no mood to listen to anyone. I had really tough customers and i felt annoyed.
"We are going to have a new menu," the new owner, Mr. Thomas, had already begun.  "In addition to that everyone with the night shift will be required to stay prolong their hours. If you agree you will receive a raise for staying extra hours... If not... You will be fired."
Being the only one with school and work, i found the condition tough. After all it was a busy day most days.
It was clearly not my day.
I reached the small apartment i had rented with two roommates.
"What happened?" Lily asked as i entered.
"Nothing," i said.
"Then why are you sulking?"
"I just had a horrible day," i said as i lied down on the long sofa.
Before i knew it, i had fallen in deep sleep.

"Five hours of sleep. That's all i got," i whined to my roommates. Lily and Katy had both asked why i had been grumpy all day.
"And now you have to put in more hours?" Katy asked.
"Yes," i answered.
"And you will get fired if you refuse?" Lily asked.
"Yes."
"Then do it. Get a better job," lily said.
"I was thinking of it. I'm going to look for a job at a proper firm," i said.
"Until I do i will keep going to the restaurant just to be on the safe side," i added.
"I won't argue that. You have a point. But you better find a job with proper timings," lily said. 
That night as i slept on my bed, my hand reached under the pillow and felt the photograph. I pulled it out. For all the three years i kept his picture under my pillow. Keeping it close to me like treasure.
"Wish me all the best. You have to come back tomorrow. Now, don't keep me up, i have to be at the university tomorrow. Love you and i miss you," i said give the photograph a hug. I kept it under my pillow hoping that the following day would be it.